Safe leather dye?

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 10:36 am

I've got a couple of spots on my FS goatskin jacket that are on the sleeve where I had to remove some "snagged" leather off the surface....think how your skin at the cuticles on your fingers will peel back sometimes and you have to cut it with the fingernail clippers or it will just keep on tearing futher back and get deeper and deeper. Well, to keep the same thing from happening in these two spots on the jacket, I just took some fingernail clippers and clipped the loose "skin" off. Well, now there are two very small spots there where the "underskin" of the jacket is exposed. I'm not worried about damage to the leather...it's got a GOOD coat of Pecards on it, so that wouldn't be a problem. But it is asthetically displeasing. So, I'd like to color those spots the same color as the rest of the jacket..but it's got to be in such a way that it will both match the color of the rest of the jacket AND stay there-not bleed out when the jacket gets wet (and it will get wet), etc....

So, what can you guys or girls recommend for me to check out to do the job?

Thanks, y'all!
Indydawg

prettybigguy · Post by **prettybigguy** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 10:50 am

Indydawg wrote: Well, now there are two very small spots there where the "underskin" of the jacket is exposed. I'm not worried about damage to the leather...it's got a GOOD coat of Pecards on it, so that wouldn't be a problem. But it is asthetically displeasing.
Thanks, y'all!
Indydawg

This sounds lto me ike your jacket is just getting "naturally distressed" isn't what what you want? I'm just asking because I know there are several camps here on the COW. I guess you are part of the "keep the gear pristine" camp.
Personally I'm not too concerned about my Wested's appearance. I'm looking forward to witnessing it age. This doesn't mean I'm not going to treat it with Pecards a few times a year to keep it from drying out or falling apart. Any scuffs, scratches or small tears I think will just add character. My 2 cents.
PBG

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 11:02 am

The new brown Pecards leather dressing, of course. It should solve the problem. Regards. Michaelson

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 11:11 am

Thanks, Michaelson....I might have to try that as I was going to get some of that stuff anyway for my Paul Stenhouse whip to darken it up some.

And yeah, PBG...I'm of the "keep the gear pristine, if possible" camp....Michaelson has been a great tutor for me

. That's not to say that I don't wear my stuff and use the heck out of it....I certainly do. But, in the event something like this occurs, I like to be able to "fix" it as much as possible to prolong the life of my gear as much as I can. These actually don't "aid" in the disressed look of the jacket...it looks like a very small vampire took a bite at my arm or something....these two little "almost" puncture marks...not punctures, but there's definately a good bit of the top layer of leather gone....and the color of the leather under it is a VERY light brown...almost white. I'd just as soon color them in and let it go if it can be done.

BUT, that brown Pecards might do the trick, like Michaelson says...thanks again, man....I'll have to give that a try.

Anyone else got any bright ideas?
Later!
Indydawg

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 11:18 am

Well you can call Dave Marshall and ask his opinion.

-S

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 11:22 am

That would be TO easy! Call Dave Marshall, indeed! (his number, by the way, is 1-800-748-6693

) Regards. Michaelson

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 11:32 am

I hadn't even thought of calling Dave.....that would be too easy, huh

....ok, so that is NEXT on my list of things to do....

Sheesh.
Indydawg

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 11:34 am

What about brown shoe polish? If it fixes up leather shoes
then I would think it would fix the jackets.

As a matter of fact, Paddy over at Real McCoys recommended
to me to use shoe polish on my new B-6 Shearling jacket
when it gets marks and cracks on the outer color layer
of the jacket.

I have done this with very good results. I put the shoe
polish on, then some regular Pecards, and it looks great!

Flathead

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 1:40 pm

But wouldn't the shoe polish just rub off or come off with use/wear/weather exposure (I don't baby these things in their use, just in their upkeep)? I was looking for something a bit more "permanant"....just wondering as to the longevity of such a treatment.

Later!
Indydawg

junior · Post by **junior** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 2:03 pm

Actually, a brown Sharpie is the best way to go.

Dave will do you right, as will the brown Pecards dressing.

junior

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 2:13 pm

....borrow someone's pocket knife and scrape all the dark brown off the jacket, so it becomes the same color and appearance as the nicks, like they did to the original jacket for Raiders.

Wait a minute...WHAT AM I SAYING!!!???

Let me lie down for a minute. I'll be all right . Let me catch my breath.

Regards. Michaelson

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 2:17 pm

Michaelson wrote:....borrow someone's pocket knife and scrape all the dark brown off the jacket, so it becomes the same color and appearance as the nicks, like they did to the original jacket for Raiders.

Wait a minute...WHAT AM I SAYING!!!???

Let me lie down for a minute. I'll be all right . Let me catch my breath.

Regards. Michaelson

Well I hope you catch your breath. I was almost expecting a resignation from Michaelson U.

)

-S

Post by **Michaelson** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 2:39 pm

Nervous breakdown, possible. (grins) Regards. Michaelson

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 3:25 pm

LOL!!!!

Indydawg

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 4:32 pm

I was under the impression from reading the Pecards website
that the brown Pecards was just regular Pecards with brown
polish added to it. Thats why it can be used as a leather conditioner
as well as a stain/distressing hider. If it was dye in the Pecards,
wouldn't the dye run when the jacket got wet? Or when the jacket
is rubbed up against something because the Pecards never really
"dries"? Thats why I thought it had just brown polish added to it.
So it wouldn't ruin anything.

Thats why Paddy recommended using brown shoe polish and then
a good conditioner on top. Pecards just does both steps at once.

Also, you have to look at how well polish lasts on shoes. It can
take much more beating than we think.

I have to admit, that I have also used a Sharpie also on some older
jackets of mine. It does really work well.

Also, since regular old Pecards actually darkens leather when applied,
have you tried it alone yet to see what it would do? I know the regular
Pecards had darkened up some of my Old Cow Wings jacket in spots
that were predistressed. Its worth a try.

Flathead

FLATHEAD · Post by **FLATHEAD** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 4:35 pm

Oh, one other thing. I have seen where using acetone on our jackets to
distress them also can be used to "move some of the color around" as
M.K. says on his sight. Could you use some acetone on a hidden spot
of the jacket to get some of the color on a rag, and then rub that onto
the spots you mentioned? That might work too.

Flathead

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 7:19 pm

I guess you're right about the new Pecards just combining polish with the dressing...hadn't thought of that being the case, but I can't figure out any other way they'd be doing it. And yeah, I've Pecarded the heck out of the jacket since those spots came up, and no darkening of them has occured. I had thought about using a brown ink pen...but who makes a brown ink pen? the Sharpie is also an idea that had occurred to me, but as a last resort. I think I'll just give Dave a call now that I've got some time on my hands and see what he thinks I could do.

thanks, everyone...I'll let you know how it turns out!
Indydawg

Fedora · Post by **Fedora** » Wed Dec 11, 2002 11:42 pm

Rub some shoe polish into the spots. Since you have already broken the integrity of the skin, what is exposed will absorb the color readily. Or, you can look for some leather/shoe dye that would work as well. I have patched up spots like this on my A-2s for years. regards, Fedora

rick5150 · Post by **rick5150** » Thu Dec 12, 2002 4:58 am

The brown Pecard's smells exactly like show polish, so I would be hard pressed to think it is anything but.

Use caution when using acetone to move the color around! I have done this satisfactorily, but in my case, it was an old A-2 bomber jacket that looked really distressed. The finish was all cracking and peeling and I applied acetone to spread the color evenly over the jacket and also to remove gray paint that the previous owner got all over the sleeve.

By the time I was done, the jacket looked merely "slightly broken-in" instead of really distressed.

I loved the look of the jacket prior to applying the acetone, but the protection of the leather and integrity of the jacket come first.

Anyways, the areas that I used to spread the color are more faded now. In my case it worked out okay for several reasons. It gave beautiful orangy-brown highlights to the jacket in areas that had absolutely no color on them and after a few Pecard's shoe oil treatments I really do like the way it looks - but unless you are willing to compromise the rest of the jacket be VERY careful. My jacket was free

so if I ruined it, it wouldn't matter much...

By the way I applied too much oil and could wear this jacket underwater :evil: . Live and learn. Good Luck!

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Thu Dec 12, 2002 8:43 am

The acetone route is definately NOT one I'd go with myself.

And my call to Dave Marshall yesterday went unanswered.

I'm going to get some of the Pecards with brown coloring anyway to try on my new whip.

So...unless I hear from Dave that I need to do differently, I think the brown Pecards will do the trick, as from what I'm hearing from most people that what makes the brown Pecards brown IS shoe polish/coloring.....so, I think that will be it.

Anywho...since it IS Pecards, I know it can't HURT to try it, so thanks for those tips, Rick...Fedora. It looks like I've got alot of things to try.

Highest Regards to this knowledgeable group!
Indydawg

junior · Post by **junior** » Thu Dec 12, 2002 9:05 am

Whatever.....I still think you should use the Sharpie :!:

junior

Post by **Mike** » Thu Dec 12, 2002 9:22 am

What have you done to my...er... your jacket?!

Actually, is this the right sleeve? Send me an email.

Mike

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Thu Dec 12, 2002 10:00 am

It's the right sleeve....

And if I could FIND a suitable sharpie

Later!
Indydawg

West · Post by **West** » Tue Dec 17, 2002 2:14 am

Hey 'Dawg,
How'd the touch up job go? I've found I may need it for my jacket also and was just curious how yours turned out.

Later,
West

Marcus Brody · Post by **Marcus Brody** » Tue Dec 17, 2002 4:55 am

And if I could FIND a suitable sharpie

I used a regular marker on my hat, it wasn't a sharpie but it worked.

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Tue Dec 17, 2002 8:42 am

Still waiting on the brown Pecards to get here as that was the FIRST thing I was going to try on it. I wanted to try some of the brown Pecards on my PS whip anyway and figured I'd just wait and try something I KNEW wouldn't hurt the jacket before I took to more "drastic" measures.

Don't worry...I'll post the results as soon as I've done some experimenting. But, thanks for asking!

Later!
Indydawg

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 2:25 pm

Well, I have an update for the record.

Michaelson was able to send me some of that new Brown Pecards dressing to try on that FS goatskin that had the open areas on the sleeve.

I took a few fingertips full of the stuff and just rubbed it in good on the spots on the sleeve where the brown color had left the jacket. Simple as that. I let it sit for 3 days and then buffed off the excess (there wasn't much) to see what would show from underneath it all. And MAN, what a surprise!!!

My prognosis after the treatment is EXCELLENT! I think that with a few more treatments of this stuff, this jacket will be in new condition and no one would be able to tell that anything had happened to the jacket at all. The two spots had greatly darkened in color and unless you are looking for them, even now, I doubt you could see them unless you got right up on them.

As ususal, Pecards saves the day!!!

Thanks, Michaelson!!! Once again, you've done it!

Later y'all!
Indydawg

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 2:34 pm

Pecards just produces a great product. It gets ALL the credit, as far as I'm concerned. ...I'm just a 'messenger'. (grins) Glad it worked. I'm sure Mike took a huge sigh of relief.

Regards. Michaelson

Post by **Mike** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 3:45 pm

Actually, I'd missed your update. I'm glad it worked out for you. I felt really bad that had happend, but as Dawg and I discussed, we think we know what happend (sorry to be cryptic).

Again, I'm happy for you. By the way, did you catch what Pecards did to my Aldens?!

Mike

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Tue Jan 07, 2003 6:25 pm

What happened to your Aldens?

Oh, and you didn't miss the update, Mike...I just put it up today. I've been out of the pocket ever since the middle of December and am STILL struggling trying to get back in the swing of things. Two weeks off is JUST enough time to get you out of whack but not long enough to have time to enjoy the break....too much to DO.

Anywho...yep, it sure worked out great for me. I highly recommend the stuff!!!

Later!
Indydawg

MK · Post by MK » Tue Jan 07, 2003 8:50 pm

I am glad to hear your jacket is back up to speed. For the record, the dye used for the leather used by FS for their jackets is not like the Wested. The pigment is all or nothing. You can't move it around.

I have not had good luck with shoe polish. Other than black, I find they don't have enough pigment and they rubs off very easily.

I have become a big fan of Angelus leather shoe dye. They have been making great dye since 1907. I have dyed several leather items including my Alden's with great sucess. I plan on posting this info in detail very soon.

Post by **Mike** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 8:21 am

Indydawg wrote:What happened to your Aldens?

Nothing, I was just weatherproofing them (my original pair) and applying the Pecards totally erased all of the distressing they had aquired over the ten years. You can find my sarcastically titled post here:

http://www.indygear.com/community/forum ... php?t=2407

Mike

PS: Welcome back... and also your Aldens are now closer to home again!

Indydawg · Post by **Indydawg** » Wed Jan 08, 2003 8:39 am

That's GREAT news, Mike! I can't wait to hear your report on those boots....I sure am happy as can be with this jacket, I know that!!!!

Later, man!
Indydawg

Safe leather dye?

Safe leather dye?

Re: Safe leather dye?

What I'd suggest?

Well....

Oh, come on, Sergei!

Doh...

Leather dye

Yeah, I thought about that...

Or...

Re: Or...

Resignation, never!

Leather Dye

Leather dye

Yeah...

NO ACETONE for me!!!

Yep, Mike...

No update as of yet...

Results of the experiments...

Always glad to help

No, dude..I missed it....

Re: No, dude..I missed it....

Excellent!!